Vermont Adult Learning

What Vermont Adult Learning does

Vermont Adult Learning (VAL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 as the Vermont Institute for Self-Reliance (VISR) and renamed in 1996, operating as Vermont's largest adult education provider. The organization delivers free instructional services — including Basic Skills, the Adult Diploma Program (ADP, which replaced the High School Completion Program in July 2024), GED preparation, English Language Learning (ELL), and College & Career Readiness advising — to Vermonters ages 16 and older across seven learning centers covering seven of the state's fourteen counties (Burlington, St. Albans, Middlebury, Rutland, Springfield, White River Junction, Brattleboro). An Online Learning Center hosted on Google Sites extends reach statewide. In FY2025, VAL served 1,576 learners, including 748 ELL students, 76 Energy Works workforce trainees, and 58 students earning high school diplomas or GEDs.

VAL's workforce development portfolio is anchored by two sub-brands: Energy Works, a building-efficiency and general construction training program offering industry-recognized credentials and stipends up to $1,400; and English Language Learning at Work, a contracted workplace-ELL program delivered on-site at employer partners including Rhino Foods, Twincraft, and UVM Medical Center. Underlying technology is modest and consumer-grade: Google Sites for the OLC, Google Translate for accessibility, PayPal for donations, and YouTube for video content. No proprietary AI/ML systems, patents, or technology-platform differentiation are evident.

VAL's revenue model is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial. Primary funding flows through the federal Adult Education and Literacy program (WIOA Title II), Vermont Agency of Education grants, United Way of Addison County and Granite United Way allocations, private foundations (Lintilhac, Hoehl Family, Vermont Community Foundation), and individual/corporate donations supplemented by an annual fundraising campaign. All learner-facing services are provided at no cost. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by Executive Director Tara Brooks, with five Regional Directors overseeing county-level operations and a Grants Manager dedicated to fund development. Recent strategic emphasis has been on workforce-program recognition (Efficiency Vermont Innovation in Workforce Development Award, 2026), CCV co-location deepening, and donor-base expansion through a 45th Anniversary Campaign.

Name

Vermont Adult Learning

Legal name

Vermont Adult Learning

Website

https://vtadultlearning.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Vermont Adult Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free adult education, GED/Adult Diploma preparation, English Language Learning, and workforce development to Vermonters ages 16+ through seven learning centers and an Online Learning Center covering seven counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Workforce Training

NAICS

Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Adult Education (Municipal/Community Schools) (EDAAAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Learning Skills & Study Strategies (Metacognition, Test Skills) (EDAAAAAJ)

Keywords

• Adult basic education
• High school equivalency
• English language learning
• Workforce development training
• Community education

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: VAL operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit receiving federal and state funding through the Adult Education and Literacy program, Vermont Agency of Education grants, and workforce development funding. The organization was affected by a federal funding pause impacting $26 million in programs statewide.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and business sponsorships. The organization runs annual campaigns (45th Anniversary Campaign targeting $45,000) and accepts various gift types including online donations, checks, matching gifts, and planned giving.
3. United Way and Foundation Support: Funding from United Way of Addison County, Granite United Way, Vermont Community Foundation, and various private foundations including Lintilhac Foundation, Hoehl Family Foundation, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vermont Adult Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free adult basic education, high school diploma (Adult Diploma Program) and GED preparation, English Language Learning, college and career readiness advising, and workforce development programs (Energy Works, ELL at Work) to Vermonters aged 16 and older. Services are delivered through seven learning centers across Vermont plus a statewide Online Learning Center, funded by government grants, foundation support, and donations.

Product overview

Vermont Adult Learning operates a multi-service adult education platform offering free educational programs and workforce development services across seven Vermont counties. The core portfolio includes Basic Skills instruction, the Adult Diploma Program (ADP) for high school completion, GED preparation, English Language Learning (ELL), and College & Career Readiness advising. The Online Learning Center (OLC) extends reach statewide via Google Sites-based remote instruction. Workforce development is anchored by the Energy Works brand (building efficiency/construction training) and English Language Learning at Work (workplace ELL instruction). All services target adults 16+ and are offered at no cost, delivered through seven physical learning centers and online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Energy Works: A statewide workforce development program that prepares Vermonters for entry-level careers in building efficiency and general construction, offering free training with industry-recognized credentials and stipends up to $1,400 upon completion.

Products and services

• Basic Skills Reading, writing, math, computer, and financial literacy instruction for adults aged 16 and older not currently enrolled in secondary school, helping learners develop fundamental skills for employment and further education.
• Adult Diploma Program (ADP) High school diploma completion program allowing eligible Vermonters aged 16+ who have not received a diploma to earn a local high school diploma through participating Vermont high schools (formerly High School Completion Program).
• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Preparation Preparation courses and testing for the GED credential, an alternative pathway to earning a high school equivalency diploma for adults who need many credits or wish to earn their credential quickly.
• English Language Learning (ELL) English language instruction for non-native speakers to advance educationally and in the workplace, including preparation for citizenship. Serves 748 ELL students as of FY2025.
• College & Career Readiness Advising and planning services helping students identify educational and career goals, create personalized learning plans, and access support for transition to college or workforce training.
• Online Learning Center (OLC) Remote learning platform complementing in-person services, offering access to additional teachers, course variety, and flexible scheduling for Vermonters with transportation, childcare, or work schedule barriers. Hosted on Google Sites.
• Work Readiness Employment preparation services for students in Adult Basic Education, High School Completion, and ELL programs, including career and goal planning, resume support, interview preparation, job search assistance, and job retention supports.
• Energy Works Statewide workforce training program preparing Vermonters for entry-level careers in building efficiency and general construction. Offers no-cost training with experienced instructors, up to $1,400 in stipends, industry-recognized credentials, and connections to employers. 76 participants trained as of FY2025.
• English Language Learning at Work Workplace-based English language instruction contracted directly with employers, bringing ELL instruction to Vermont workplaces. Partners include Rhino Foods, Twincraft, UVM Medical Center, and UVM Custodial Services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,576 learners served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Rhino FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL teaches English at Work class for New Americans working at Rhino Foods in Burlington, bringing workplace English instruction directly to employees
• TwincraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL provides English Language Learning at Work instruction for Twincraft employees
• UVM Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL delivers English Language Learning at Work programs for UVM Medical Center Environmental Services and Custodial Services employees
• Community College of Vermont (CCV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL's Franklin/Grand Isle and Windsor County (White River Junction) learning centers are co-located within CCV campuses, enabling integrated educational services
• Efficiency VermontflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEfficiency Vermont partners with VAL on the Energy Works program, providing recognition and support for workforce training in building efficiency; VAL received Efficiency Vermont's Innovation in Workforce Development Award in 2026
• Vocational RehabilitationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support students with special needs in earning their diplomas through coordinated services
• Vermont Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL serves on Vermont Department of Labor panels at workforce development events in central Vermont
• Springfield (VT) School DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL co-writes and executes a Vermont Agency of Education Grant with Springfield School Department to create enhanced Personal Learning Plans for students
• United Way of Addison CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Way of Addison County funds VAL's Addison County Learning Center as a United Way Funded Agency
• Granite United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGranite United Way funds VAL's Windsor County Learning Centers in Springfield and White River Junction as a United Way Funded Agency
• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSAC provides grants, loans, scholarships, career and education planning for VAL students and families pursuing certificate or higher education programs
• MyFutureVTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAL staff served on the steering committee for MyFutureVT, a resource for career and educational opportunities for Vermonters
• Vermont State Highway Safety OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting VAL's driver education program for multilingual learners through the Enhanced Driver Safety Program and Behavioral Change Unit
• Brattleboro Area Immigrant Driving AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership expanding access to safe, legal driving for multilingual learners at VAL's Windham County Learning Center
• Windham County Sheriff's DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Adult Immigrant Driver Safety Program supporting driver education for multilingual learners using driving simulators at VAL's Windham County Learning Center

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC): State nonprofit providing grants, scholarships, and education/career planning to Vermonters pursuing postsecondary education. Functions as a partner and downstream pipeline rather than a direct competitor to VAL.

Broad incumbents

• ProLiteracy: National nonprofit supporting adult literacy and ESL providers across the U.S. through advocacy, professional development, and program support. Operates broadly in the same adult basic education and literacy space as VAL, but as a national umbrella/incumbent rather than a local direct provider.

Regional players

• Community College of Vermont (CCV): Vermont's statewide community college system offering adult education, GED, and workforce credentials. Already partners with VAL via co-located learning centers, but also partially overlaps as a direct adult learner provider.
• Central Vermont Career Center: Vermont technical education center offering adult technical training and career credentials. Comparable to VAL's Energy Works program in providing occupational training within Vermont.

Direct peers

• New Hampshire Adult Education: New Hampshire's network of state-funded adult education centers offering adult basic education, GED prep, ELL, and workforce training free to residents. Direct comparable to VAL as a neighboring New England adult education nonprofit system.
• The Literacy Center of West Michigan: Regional nonprofit offering adult literacy, ESL, and customized workplace English programs. Comparable in workplace-based ELL delivery (analogous to VAL's ELL at Work) and center-based adult basic education.
• Literacy New York: Statewide network delivering free adult literacy, ESL, and HSE/GED preparation across New York. Operates a comparable center-based, state-funded adult education model to VAL.
• JVS Boston (Jewish Vocational Service): New England nonprofit providing adult education, ESL, workforce training, and career services. Comparable to VAL as a regional adult education/workforce development organization serving immigrants and adult learners.
• Goodwill Industries of Vermont: Vermont nonprofit providing workforce development, job training, and adult education services to underserved populations. Comparable to VAL's workforce development (Energy Works) and adult basic education offerings.
• Maine Adult Education Association: Statewide association of Maine adult education programs providing high school completion, GED, college transitions, and workforce training. Directly comparable to VAL's multi-center, multi-county adult education model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VTAdultLearning
• Facebookfacebook.com/VTAdultLearning
• Instagraminstagram.com/vtadultlearning
• Xx.com/vtadultlearning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vermont-adult-learning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermont Adult Learning